Universal mate-in cable interface system

ABSTRACT

The present document describes an assembly for connecting a test unit to a wiring harness or equipment to be tested, and a method for testing using the assembly. The assembly may comprise a test box unit, a generic mate-in interface, and at least one specific mate-in interface. The generic mate-in interface is for connection to the test box unit on one end, and to the at least one specific mate-in interfaces at the other end. The mate-in interfaces are for testing different existing wiring harnesses or equipment. Each one of the generic and specific mate-in interfaces has a specific ID comprised in an ID support on the electrical path of the generic mate-in interface and the specific mate-in interface, for example, on any one of the end connectors of the interfaces or on their wiring. Information relating to the IDs of the connectors and the contact configuration of each mate-in interface is stored in a database of the test unit for identifying the appropriate test contacts that should be used for testing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 15/424,006, filedFeb. 3, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No.14/014,320 filed Aug. 29, 2013, which is a continuation application ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/953,558 filed Nov. 24, 2010, thespecifications of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND (a) Field

The subject matter disclosed generally relates to testing tools. Morespecifically, this description relates to interfaces between testers anddevices having connectors.

(b) Related Prior Art

An electrical wiring harness typically comprises a bundle of individualconnector wires of varying gauges, impedances and types, all arrangedand distributed at different locations within an installation, such as atransport vehicle. Such wiring harnesses are used to interconnect thevarious components and subassemblies located within the vehicles.

The number of possible electrical interconnections within a vehiclegrows exponentially with the number of wires and various components andsubassemblies located within the vehicles.

Electrical problems within a harness or an electrical sub-system of aninstallation (ex: transport vehicle) are incredibly hard to identify andlocate, especially for already installed harnesses. Faults can occurfrom bad interconnections, faulty electrical component (such as computerhardware, resistance, coil, sensor) or a software programming bug. Theelectrical subsystem is a combination of those elements interconnectedtogether, and any element must perform optimally for proper performance.

In the prior art, a typical method of testing an installed harness is byusing a manual test equipment to ring one, many or all nodes of theharness under test, ringing being a term known in the art for doing acontinuity test. Unfortunately, such a method is inconvenient as itpresents numerous drawbacks. Such a method requires that a plurality ofoperators be deployed at various connection points along the wiringharness, their locations being chosen in accordance with electricalschematics, and the operators communicating and coordinating testingprocedures through walkie-talkies. With prior art methods, the operatorshave to ring cables, one at a time, which requires many operators forcomplex or multiple connections. It is likely that only specificconnections will be tested based on the electrical schematic of theharness under test, leaving a large number of possible connections notbeing tested.

Another prior art method of testing a wiring harness involves connectingautomated test equipment or components to the installed harness viainterface cables and performing the testing. The difficulty that ariseswith this prior art technique is that of having at the time of the testan interface connection that on one side is connected to the testequipment, and on the other side has a mating connector that will permitto attach directly to the connector of the cable or equipment undertest. This mating connector must have characteristics that will match tothat of the connector of the cable or equipment under test: connectorshell size, model, keyways, opposite sex male or female connectors,contacts size, model, opposite sex male or female, and otherscharacteristics known to a person of the art. Currently, such interfaceconnection must be prepared in advance of the test. The reality is thatthe user of the test equipment has to order the specific matingconnectors, sometimes waiting days and weeks before a supplier candeliver them, and then incorporating them into an interface connectionthat will connect to the test equipment, first by manually connectingnode by node all or part of the mating connector testing points, andsecondly by programming the test equipment or mating interface with thecharacteristics of the mating connector.

It is known to the prior art that if the cable mate-in interfaceconnection is not readily available at the time of the test, a user mayprepare a temporary cable interface using clamps, terminal boards,connector contacts and other tools or devices connected to the testsystem generic interface connection. The difficulty from using suchtemporary cable interface is that it is a practice which is prone toerrors and omissions and which does not allow for reliable analysis ofthe data recorded by the test equipment and it does not permit to recordit precisely with the specification of the electrical schematics of theharness under test over time.

It is also known in the prior art that the cable mate-in interface mustbe programmed into a test program to allocate the sequence of therouting of the contact of the specific connector in relation to theconnector of the test equipment. This practice requires time and testingto allow for reliable test procedures.

Thus, existing test equipment cannot be used to their full capacity whencable mating interface are not readily available at the time of thetest, which would allow for performing testing on multiple wires at atime and allow for gathering complete and accurate information regardingthe wires.

Electrical problems within various components and subassemblies aregenerally found using a multi-meter or other test equipment designedspecifically for the component or subassembly to test; in any case,mating interfaces may also be required to carry out a full analysis ofthe nodes of the component or subassembly under test.

There exists therefore a need for a reliable assembly for interfacing anexisting harness/equipment connector to a test module which can beautomated and simplified to reduce time, cost efficient, reliable, notprone to human error and that provides adequate documentation fortraceability.

SUMMARY

The subject matter disclosed generally relates to tools for testingwires, wiring harnesses, equipment or any combination of them that havespecific electrical connectors to interconnect with them. Morespecifically, this description relates to interfaces between testers andthe specific electrical connectors to which wires, wiring harness,equipment or any combination of them to be tested are hooked up, whetherthe testers are used for audit of their configuration when they arebuild or modified, or for their periodic maintenance or specifictroubleshooting. For matter of simplicity, reference will only be madeto harness/equipment connector whether the subject of the test are wire,wiring harness, equipment, or any combination thereof them in relationto an electrical sub-system.

According to an embodiment, there is provided an intermediate mate-ininterface for enabling a connection between a generic mate-in interfaceand a specific mate-in interface, the intermediate mate-in interfacecomprising:

-   -   a generic-to-intermediate connector for connecting the generic        mate-in interface to the intermediate mate-in interface;    -   an intermediate-to-specific connector for connecting the        intermediate mate-in interface to the specific mate-in        interface; and    -   an input/output connector connected between the        generic-to-intermediate connector and the        intermediate-to-specific connector, for enabling at least one of        inputting a signal into the intermediate mate-in interface and        outputting a signal from the intermediate mate-in interface;

wherein the specific mate-in interface is for connecting toharness/equipment connectors, and wherein the generic mate-in interfaceis for connecting to a test box unit.

According to another embodiment, the input/output connector is adaptedfor connection to a device adapted for generating a signal.

According to another embodiment, the input/output connector is adaptedfor connection to a device adapted for measuring at least one attributeof a signal or circuit.

According to another embodiment, the input/output connector comprises aplurality of contacts.

According to another embodiment, the plurality of contacts comprise atleast one of pins, sockets, alligator clips, banana plugs, coaxialcables, optical fibers, and a connector adapted to mate with a deviceadapted for generating a signal or adapted for measuring at least oneattribute of a signal or circuit.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of testingequipment having a harness/equipment connector for connection to aspecific mate-in interface, the method comprising:

-   -   connecting a generic mate-in interface to a test box unit;    -   connecting an intermediate mate-in interface to the generic        mate-in interface;    -   connecting the specific mate-in interface to the intermediate        mate-in interface;    -   connecting the specific mate-in interface to the        harness/equipment connector;    -   connecting to the intermediate mate-in interface at least one of        a device adapted for generating a signal and a device adapted        for measuring at least one attribute of a signal or circuit; and    -   performing tests on the equipment having a harness/equipment        connector using the at least one of a device adapted for        generating a signal and a device adapted for measuring at least        one attribute of a signal or circuit.

According to another embodiment, the method further comprisesreconfigurably assigning a portion of test contacts of a test boxconnector which provides the connection from the generic mate-ininterface to the test box unit, wherein the assignment of the portion oftest contacts is made into a specific mate-in level subset and thegeneric mate-in interface has a unique test box connector ID, theassigning comprising:

-   -   detecting, through the generic mate-in interface, a unique        specific mate-in interface ID of the specific mate-in interface;        and    -   determining, from the detected unique specific mate-in interface        ID, an assignment of the portion of test contacts.

According to another embodiment, the assigning comprises;

-   -   detecting, through the generic mate-in interface, a unique        intermediate mate-in interface ID of the intermediate mate-in        interface; and    -   determining, from the detected unique intermediate mate-in        interface ID, an assignment of the portion of test contacts.

According to another embodiment, the assignment of the portion of testcontacts is made into a specific mate-in level subset and the genericmate-in interface has a unique test box connector ID, the method furthercomprises:

-   -   detecting the unique test box connector ID; and    -   determining, from the detected unique test box connector ID, an        assignment of the test contacts into generic level subsets        wherein one of the generic level subsets comprises the specific        mate-in level subset.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a universal mate-ininterface kit for enabling a connection between a test box unit andharness/equipment connectors, the kit comprising: a selection of atleast two specific mate-in interfaces, each one of the at least twospecific mate-in interfaces having, at one end, an intermediateconnector connected, at an other end, to specific connectors forconnecting to harness/equipment connectors, thereby providing a specificlevel one-to-many mate-in interface; and a generic mate-in interfacehaving, at one end, at least two generic connectors each for connectingto a respective one of the intermediate connectors of the at least twospecific mate-in interfaces, the generic mate-in interface having, at another end, a test box connector for connecting to the test box unit,thereby providing a generic level one-to-many mate-in interface; whereinhaving two levels of one-to-many mate-in interfaces provides a greaternumber of specific connectors available for connecting to theharness/equipment connectors than a single level one-to-many mate-ininterface.

According to an embodiment, there is described herein the universalmate-in interface kit above, wherein the test box connector comprisescontacts and each one of the at least two generic connectors comprisecontacts, the kit further comprising connection wires between at leastsome of the contacts of the test box connector and at least some of thecontacts of each one of the at least two generic connectors.

According to an embodiment, there is described herein the universalmate-in interface kit above, wherein one intermediate connector has acontact configuration which is different from a contact configuration ofanother intermediate connector, and wherein the at least two genericconnectors each have a different contact configuration for connecting toa respective one of the intermediate connectors having a matchingcontact configuration.

According to an embodiment, there is described herein the universalmate-in interface kit above, wherein the test box connector has a uniquetest box connector ID and contacts, a portion of the contacts beingreserved for communicating the unique test box connector ID and an otherportion of the contacts being reconfigurably assignable.

According to an embodiment, there is described herein the universalmate-in interface kit above, wherein upon connection of the test boxconnector to the test box unit, the unique test box connector ID is usedin determining an assignment of the other portion of the contacts intosubsets.

According to an embodiment, there is described herein the universalmate-in interface kit above, wherein each one of the specific mate-ininterfaces has a unique specific mate-in interface ID and uponconnection of at least one of the specific mate-in interfaces to thegeneric mate-in interface, the unique specific mate-in interface ID isused in determining an assignment of the contacts in one of the subsetsinto further subsets.

According to an embodiment, there is described herein the universalmate-in interface kit above, wherein the intermediate connector comprisea memory device for storing the unique specific mate-in interface ID.

According to an embodiment, there is described herein the universalmate-in interface kit above, wherein the test box connector furthercomprises a memory device for storing the unique test box connector ID.

According to yet another embodiment, there is provided asoftware-implemented method of reconfigurably assigning a portion oftest contacts of a test box unit which is for testing equipment having aharness/equipment connector for connection to a specific mate-ininterface, the method comprising: connecting a generic mate-in interfaceto the test box unit; connecting the specific mate-in interface to thegeneric mate-in interface; detecting, through the generic mate-ininterface, a unique specific mate-in interface ID of the connectedspecific mate-in interface; determining, from the detected uniquespecific mate-in interface ID, an assignment of the portion of testcontacts.

According to an embodiment wherein the assignment of the portion of testcontacts is made into a specific mate-in level subset and the genericmate-in interface has a unique test box connector ID, the method furthercomprises: detecting the unique test box connector ID; and determining,from the detected unique test box connector ID, an assignment of thetest contacts into generic level subsets wherein one of the genericlevel subsets comprises the specific mate-in level subset.

According to an embodiment, the method further comprises consulting adatabase through the test box unit for both the determining of theassignment of the portion of the test contacts into a specific mate-inlevel subset and the determining of the assignment of the test contactsinto generic level subsets.

According to an embodiment, the method further comprises consulting adatabase through the test box unit for the determining of the assignmentof the test contacts.

It should be noted that the inventive concepts described herein applyequally to electrical or optical applications. That is, all connectorscan be electrical or optical connectors. Also all wires can beelectrical wires or can also be optical fibers.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a genericmate-in interface for enabling a connection between a test box unit andspecific mate-in interfaces, the specific mate-in interfaces forconnecting to harness/equipment connectors. The generic mate-ininterface comprises: a generic mate-in interface memory provided at alocation on the generic mate-in interface and comprising configurationinformation for the generic mate-in interface; a test box connector forconnecting to the test box unit, the test box connector having a uniquetest box connector ID and contacts, a portion of the contacts beingreserved for communicating the unique test box connector ID and an otherportion of the contacts being reconfigurably assignable; upon connectionof the test box connector to the test box unit, the unique test boxconnector ID is used in consulting the generic mate-in interface memoryfor determining an assignment of the other portion of the contacts intogeneric level subsets.

According to an embodiment, the specific mate-in interface comprises aspecific mate-in interface memory provided at a location on the specificmate-in interface and comprising configuration information for thespecific mate-in interface.

According to an embodiment, each one of the specific mate-in interfaceshaving a unique specific mate-in interface ID, and upon connection of atleast one of the specific mate-in interfaces to the generic mate-ininterface, the unique specific mate-in interface ID is used inconsulting the specific mate-in interface memory for determining anassignment of the contacts in at least one of the generic level subsetsinto specific mate-in level subsets.

According to an embodiment, each one of the specific mate-in interfaceshaving a unique specific mate-in interface ID, and a portion of thecontacts of the specific mate-in level subsets is reserved forcommunicating the unique specific mate-in interface ID and anotherportion of the contacts of the specific mate-in level subsets isreconfigurably assignable and for use in testing at least one of theharness/equipment connectors.

According to an embodiment, the specific mate-in interfaces eachcomprise an intermediate connector and, wherein the generic mate-ininterface further comprises generic connectors which match respectivelythe intermediate connectors.

According to an embodiment, the generic mate-in interface memory islocated on at least one of the generic connectors.

According to an embodiment, there are further provided connection wiresbetween at least some of the contacts of the test box connector and atleast some of the contacts of each of the generic connectors.

According to an embodiment, the generic mate-in interface memory islocated on at least one of the connection wires of the generic mate-ininterface.

According to an embodiment, one intermediate connector has a contactconfiguration which is different from a contact configuration of anotherintermediate connector, and wherein the generic connectors each have adifferent contact configuration for connecting to a respective one ofthe intermediate connectors having a matching contact configuration.

According to an embodiment, there is further provided a test boxconnector ID support provided at a location on the generic mate-ininterface and comprising a test box connector ID.

According to an embodiment, the test box connector ID support is thegeneric mate-in interface memory.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided auniversal mate-in interface kit for enabling a connection between a testbox unit and harness/equipment connectors, the kit comprising: aselection of at least two specific mate-in interfaces, each one of theat least two specific mate-in interfaces having, at one end, anintermediate connector connected, at an other end, to specificconnectors for connecting to harness/equipment connectors, therebyproviding a specific level one-to-many mate-in interface; and a genericmate-in interface having, at one end, at least two generic connectorseach for connecting to a respective one of the intermediate connectorsof the at least two specific mate-in interfaces, the generic mate-ininterface having, at an other end, a test box connector for connectingto the test box unit, thereby providing a generic level one-to-manymate-in interface; at least one memory provided at a location on atleast one of the generic mate-in interface and the specific mate-ininterface and comprising configuration information for the interface onwhich the at least one memory is located; wherein having two levels ofone-to-many mate-in interfaces provides a greater number of specificconnectors available for connecting to the harness/equipment connectorsthan a single level one-to-many mate-in interface; wherein the test boxconnector has a unique test box connector ID and contacts, a portion ofthe contacts being reserved for communicating the unique test boxconnector ID and an other portion of the contacts being reconfigurablyassignable, wherein upon connection of the test box connector to thetest box unit, the unique test box connector ID is used in consultingthe at least memory for determining an assignment of the other portionof the contacts into subsets; and wherein each one of the specificmate-in interfaces has a unique specific mate-in interface ID and uponconnection of at least one of the specific mate-in interfaces to thegeneric mate-in interface, the unique specific mate-in interface ID isused in consulting the at least one memory for determining an assignmentof the contacts in one of the subsets into further subsets.

According to an embodiment, the at least one memory on the genericmate-in interface is located on at least one of the generic connectors.

According to an embodiment, the test box connector comprises contactsand each one of the at least two generic connectors comprise contacts,the kit further comprising connection wires between at least some of thecontacts of the test box connector and at least some of the contacts ofeach one of the at least two generic connectors.

According to an embodiment, the at least one memory on the genericmate-in interface is located on at least one of the connection wires ofthe generic mate-in interface.

According to an embodiment, one intermediate connector has a contactconfiguration which is different from a contact configuration of anotherintermediate connector, and wherein the at least two generic connectorseach have a different contact configuration for connecting to arespective one of the intermediate connectors having a matching contactconfiguration.

According to an embodiment, each one of the specific mate-in interfacescomprises a unique specific mate-in interface ID support comprising theunique specific mate-in interface ID.

According to an embodiment, the unique specific mate-in interface IDsupport is one of the at least one memory on the specific mate-ininterface.

According to an embodiment, the generic mate-in interface comprises aunique test box connector ID support comprising the unique test boxconnector ID.

According to an embodiment, the unique test box connector ID support isone of the at least one memory on the generic mate-in interface.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of using auniversal mate-in interface kit for enabling a connection between a testbox unit a subject under test, the kit comprising: providing a specificmate-in interface having, at one end, an intermediate connectorconnected, at an other end, to specific contacts for connecting toharness/equipment connectors of the subject under test, therebyproviding a specific level one-to-many mate-in interface; andidentifying each of the specific contacts with a unique ID; providing ageneric mate-in interface having, at one end, at least two genericconnectors each for connecting to a respective one of the intermediateconnectors of the specific mate-in interface, the generic mate-ininterface having, at an other end, a test box connector for connectingto the test box unit, thereby providing a generic level one-to-manymate-in interface; connecting the test box connector to the test boxunit; reading the unique ID of each of the specific contacts with thetest box unit; attributing individually an attribute, to each of thespecific contacts of the specific mate-in interface read by the text boxunit; and performing a selective test on a particular contact of thesubject under test based on the attribute.

According to an aspect, attributing individually an attribute isperformed by using a computer and attributing the attribute in adatabase using the computer.

According to an aspect, each of the specific contacts comprises any oneof: an alligator clip, a pin, a socket, or a termination made of aconductive material that allows electric contact with another object.

According to an aspect, the generic mate-in interface further comprisesa unique test box connector ID support comprising a test box connectorID.

According to an aspect, the unique ID is supported on an electronicdevice at each of the specific contacts.

According to an aspect, the method further comprises: providing aselection of at least two specific mate-in interfaces, each one of theat least two specific mate-in interfaces having, at one end, anintermediate connector connected, at an other end, to specificconnectors for connecting to harness/equipment connectors, therebyproviding a specific level one-to-many mate-in interface; and whereinhaving two levels of one-to-many mate-in interfaces provides a greaternumber of specific connectors available for connecting to theharness/equipment connectors than a single level one-to-many mate-ininterface.

According to an aspect, the test box connector comprises contacts andeach one of the at least two generic connectors comprise contacts, thekit further comprising connection wires between at least some of thecontacts of the test box connector and at least some of the contacts ofeach one of the at least two generic connectors.

According to an aspect, the test box connector ID support iselectrically accessible from the contacts.

According to an aspect, the test box connector ID support is located onat least one of the generic connectors.

According to an aspect, the test box connector ID support is located onat least one of the connection wires of the generic mate-in interface.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided auniversal mate-in interface kit for enabling a connection between a testbox unit and harness/equipment connectors, the kit comprising: aselection of at least two specific mate-in interfaces, each one of theat least two specific mate-in interfaces having, at one end, anintermediate connector connected, at an other end, to specificconnectors for connecting to harness/equipment connectors, therebyproviding a specific level one-to-many mate-in interface; and a genericmate-in interface having, at one end, at least two generic connectorseach for connecting to a respective one of the intermediate connectorsof the at least two specific mate-in interfaces, the generic mate-ininterface having, at an other end, a test box connector for connectingto the test box unit, thereby providing a generic level one-to-manymate-in interface, the generic mate-in interface further comprising aunique test box connector ID support comprising a test box connector ID;wherein having two levels of one-to-many mate-in interfaces provides agreater number of specific connectors available for connecting to theharness/equipment connectors than a single level one-to-many mate-ininterface; wherein the test box connector has contacts, a portion of thecontacts being reserved for communicating the unique test box connectorID and an other portion of the contacts being reconfigurably assignable;wherein upon connection of the test box connector to the test box unit,the unique test box connector ID is used in determining an assignment ofthe other portion of the contacts into subsets; and wherein each one ofthe specific mate-in interfaces has a unique specific mate-in interfaceID and upon connection of at least one of the specific mate-ininterfaces to the generic mate-in interface, the unique specific mate-ininterface ID is used in determining an assignment of the contacts in oneof the subsets into further subsets.

According to an embodiment, the test box connector ID support iselectrically accessible from the contacts.

According to an embodiment, the test box connector ID support is locatedon at least one of the generic connectors.

According to an embodiment, the test box connector comprises contactsand each one of the at least two generic connectors comprise contacts,the kit further comprising connection wires between at least some of thecontacts of the test box connector and at least some of the contacts ofeach one of the at least two generic connectors.

According to an embodiment, the test box connector ID support is locatedon at least one of the connection wires of the generic mate-ininterface.

According to an embodiment, one intermediate connector has a contactconfiguration which is different from a contact configuration of anotherintermediate connector, and wherein the at least two generic connectorseach have a different contact configuration for connecting to arespective one of the intermediate connectors having a matching contactconfiguration.

According to an embodiment, each one of the specific mate-in interfacescomprises a unique specific mate-in interface ID support comprising theunique specific mate-in interface ID.

According to an embodiment, the unique specific mate-in interface IDsupport is a memory device for storing the unique specific mate-ininterface ID.

According to an embodiment, the unique test box connector ID is a memorydevice for storing the unique test box connector ID.

Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become moreapparent in light of the following detailed description of selectedembodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will berealized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable ofmodifications in various respects, all without departing from the scopeof the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to beregarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive and the fullscope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, taken in combinationwith the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional assembly for interfacingan existing harness/equipment connector of an installed wiringharness/equipment to a test module;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an assembly for interfacing anexisting harness connector to a test module, in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a test unit in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for detecting the appropriate testcontacts in a test unit, when a specific connector is connected to awiring harness or equipment for testing;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a data flow within the test unit at eachstep of the method of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a picture of a prior art specific mate-in interface;

FIG. 7 is a picture of a generic mate-in interface according to anembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a picture of a hybrid mate-in interface according to anembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a picture of an intermediate mate-in interface connectedbetween a generic mate-in interface and a specific mate-in interface;

FIG. 10 is a picture of a specific mate-in interface comprising specificcontacts;

FIG. 11 is a picture of an intermediate mate-in interface connectedbetween a generic mate-in interface and a specific mate-in interfacecomprising specific contacts;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method for testing equipment/harness when anintermediate mate-in interface is used;

FIGS. 13-15 are schematic diagrams illustrating different embodiments ofan assembly for interfacing an existing harness connector to a testmodule with ID displayed on an ID support provided at various locationson the assembly;

FIG. 16 is a picture illustrating an embodiment of an assembly forinterfacing an existing harness connector to a test module withinterface ID displayed on an ID support provided at two locations on theassembly;

FIGS. 17-19 are schematic diagrams illustrating different embodiments ofan assembly for interfacing an existing harness connector to a testmodule with a memory provided at various locations on the assembly andcomprising configuration data; and

FIGS. 20-22 are schematic diagrams illustrating different embodiments ofa generic mate-in interface, for connection to a test module, with amemory provided at various locations on the assembly and comprising anID and configuration data.

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like featuresare identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present document describes an assembly for connecting a test unit toa wiring harness or equipment or electrical sub-system to be tested(also referred to herein as a harness/equipment connector), and a methodfor testing using the assembly. The assembly may comprise a test boxunit, a first level (generic level) generic harness connector assembly,and at least one specific second level (specific mate-in level) harnessconnector assembly. The generic harness connector assembly is forconnection to the test box unit on one end, and to the at least onespecific harness connectors assembly on the other end. The specificconnectors are for testing different existing wiring harnesses orequipment. Each of the generic and specific harness connector assemblieshas a specific unique identification (ID). The Information relating tothe IDs of the connectors and the contact configuration of eachconnector is stored in a database of the test unit or test system foridentifying the appropriate test contacts that should be used fortesting. According to an embodiment, the test box unit is the test unit,but the test system can be controlled by a personal computer.

According to another embodiment, the information related to the contactconfiguration of each connector of an interface and to the configurationof the interfaces is stored on a memory 200 which is located on themate-in interface to which relates the information stored thereon. Thismemory 200 is in replacement or in addition to the memory of the testunit or test system comprising the aforementioned database.

According to an embodiment, the contacts comprise a pin and socketarrangement while in another embodiment it encompasses optical fibercontacts.

The ID for each connector may be permanently stored in a memory deviceon each connector (e.g., ID support 250 or 252), or elsewhere on themate-in interface as detailed further below. The ID may also bechangeable by updating the information in the memory device. Accordingto another embodiment, the ID may also be on a label on the connector orthe ID may be etched on the connector (i.e., it is contained in a staticdisplay). In this case, the ID must be read by the technician andentered in the interface to the database to obtain the informationrelative to the connector at issue.

Co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/627,620 filed on Nov. 30,2009 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety,describes an assembly for interfacing an existing harness connector ofan installed wiring harness/equipment to a test module. FIG. 1 is aschematic diagram of the assembly described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/627,620. As shown in FIG. 1, the assembly 20 comprises aspecific mate-in interface 24 and a test box unit (TBU) 22. The specificmate-in interface 24 includes a TBU connector 26 on one end thereof forconnecting to the TBU 22, and a number (n) of specific connectors 28-1to 28-n for connecting to existing wiring harnesses/equipment that areto be tested (not shown). In this prior art device, the TBU connector 26is the only location where the identification (ID) of the specificmate-in interface 24 is located. The TBU 22 connects between the TBUconnector 26 of the specific mate-in interface 24 and a central test andmanagement unit (not shown). In a test setting, a plurality of TBUs 22with a specific mate-in interface 24 would be used to connect todifferent nodes in a wiring harness/equipment.

The number (n) of the specific connectors 28 increases with the numberof contacts in the TBU 22. As new wiring harnesses/equipment are alwaysbeing introduced in the market in cars, planes, houses, etc., newharness/equipment-specific mate-in interface 24 are needed which areable to connect to the new harnesses/equipment using new specificconnectors 28. As the number of specific connectors 28 increases, theharness/equipment-specific mate-in interface 24 becomes heavy and hardto manage, and the cost thereof increases too. Furthermore, as theharness/equipment-specific mate-in interface 24 becomes full, new oneshave to be build to accommodate new specific connectors 28. Themanagement may become complex, often resulting in two specificconnectors 28 required for the test being on different harness-specificmate-in interfaces 24. Therefore, there is a need for an assembly whichis simple, provides flexibility in the types and quantities ofconnectors to which it can interface, and at the same time is moreeconomic for interfacing an existing harness to a test module.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an assembly (or universal mate-ininterface kit) for interfacing an existing harness/equipment connectorto a test module (aka “a TBU 42”), in accordance with an embodiment. Asshown in FIG. 2, the assembly 40 comprises a generic mate-in interface44, and a plurality of specific mate-in interfaces 46-1 to 46-n. Thegeneric mate-in interface 44 comprises a TBU connector 48 for connectingto the TBU 42 and a number (m) of generic connectors 50-1 to 50-m. Eachof the specific mate-in interfaces 46 comprises an intermediateconnector 52 for connecting to one of the generic connectors 50 at oneend, and a plurality of specific connectors 54 for connecting to theexisting harness/equipment that is to be tested (not shown).

In order to appreciate the concepts described herein, FIGS. 6, 7 and 8are provided. FIG. 6 is a picture of a prior art specific mate-ininterface. FIG. 7 is a picture of a generic mate-in interface accordingto an embodiment and FIG. 8 is a picture of a hybrid mate-in interfaceaccording to an embodiment. This last embodiment is hybrid in that ithas some generic connectors for connecting to intermediate connectorsand some specific connectors for connecting to harness/equipmentconnectors.

In an embodiment, each generic connector 50 has a specific type e.g.type 1, type 2, type m etc. and may be only be connected to acorresponding type of intermediate connectors 52. For instance, type 1generic connector 50-1 may be connected to type 1 intermediate connector52-1, but not to type 2 intermediate connector 52-2.

Each specific connector 54-x of specific mate-in interfaces 46-1 to 46-nis for connection to a specific connector of an existingharness/equipment (not shown). The specific connectors 54 do not have tobe exclusive to one type of specific mate-in interface 46. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 2, specific connectors 54-2 is included inspecific mate-in interfaces 46-1 and 46-n, and specific connectors 54-3is included in specific mate-in interfaces 46-1 and 46-2. In anembodiment, the specific connectors 54 are grouped on the basis of thelikelihood of using them together. For instance, if a new helicopterincludes new types of wiring harnesses which require connectors of thetypes 64 to 69 (not shown) and old harnesses which require connectors ofthe types 12 to 19, it is possible to mix and match connectors from thetypes 12 to 19 and 64 to 69 and provide these in one or more specificmate-in interfaces 46 and interchanged them at any time for a newconfiguration. The test system may have an auto-detect function thatautomatically reconfigures the test parameters.

In another embodiment, a generic mate-in interface 44 comprises both oneor more generic connectors 50 and one or more specific connectors 54, inwhich case it is called a hybrid mate-in. In such an embodiment thegeneric mate-in interface 44 can be used for connecting to specificmate-in interfaces 46 through intermediate connectors 52 or used toconnect directly to existing harnesses/equipment.

It is understood that while FIG. 2 only shows one generic mate-ininterface 44, generic mate-in interfaces 44 of many can be made to adaptto different intermediate connectors 52 and hence various specificmate-in interfaces 46.

According to another embodiment, the specific connectors 54 at the endof the specific mate-in interface 46 are replaced by specific contacts57. Indeed, there might be some cases in which the operator does nothave access to the specific connector 54 matching the subject undertest. It is also possible that he prefers to make a very selective teston a particular contact of the subject under test and for which thespecific connectors 54 would not be appropriate. In such cases, specificcontacts 57 would be needed instead of specific connectors 54, as shownin FIG. 10. To perform their task, the specific contacts 57 would have atermination that allows an electric contact with the subject under test,and can thus take the form of an alligator clip, a pin, a socket, or anyother termination made of a conductive material that allows electriccontact with another object and known to a skilled person to be usefulin such a situation. A set of one or more specific contacts 57 can beused at the end of the specific mate-in interface 46. Using specificconnector 54 still allows an intermediate mate-in interface 45 to beused.

The step 140 of determining ID of specific mate-in interface, shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 is still valid in this embodiment. This is because thespecific mate-in interface 46 still has an intermediate connector 52 andcomprises specific contacts 57 instead of specific connectors 54. Thesespecific contacts 57 are properly identified with a unique ID, eithermanuscript or via an electronic device, with a corresponding contactidentification of either the connector identification (letter, number,color, or other alphanumeric or symbolic identifier), the wiringschematic identifier or any other attribute or method as may bedetermined by the manager of the database.

The manager of the database or the operator of the test will then havethe ability to access a software application to refer to such contactsindividually in the database and give an attribute to each one of themusing his method, in order to get the test results on the same format asin the wiring schematic.

According to another embodiment, an additional interface may be added.This additional interface takes the form of an intermediate mate-ininterface 45. Instead of having the generic mate-in interface 44connecting to the specific mate-in interface 46 using their respectiveconnectors, i.e. generic connectors 50 and intermediate connectors 52,the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 uses the intermediatemate-in interface 45 as a connection between the generic mate-ininterface and the specific mate-in interface. This intermediate mate-ininterface 45 is characterized by having a generic-to-intermediateconnector 51 at one end and an intermediate-to-specific connector 52 atanother end.

The use of an intermediate mate-in interface 45 can be useful if theintermediate mate-in interface 45 comprises an input/output connector55, for example an open or easily accessible wire with a contact forconnection. The input/output connector 55 enables the input or theoutput of a signal inside the circuit. Outputting an electric signal canenable measuring an electric current or a voltage, for example.Inputting an electric signal can comprise applying a voltage orinjecting a current. A resistance can also be measured. A relay oranother harness component may have to be activated by an electricalsource that is not the test box unit 42. For example, a relay couldrequire a 24 V voltage applied by an external electrical source. Anelectric source or measuring device that is distinct from the test boxunit 42 can thus be connected to the input/output connector 55. Opticalsignals instead of electric signals can also be used for some specificcases. The input/output connector 55 is thus adapted for connection tomany types of devices, for example a device adapted to generate asignal, a device adapted to measure an attribute of an electric signalor circuit (voltage, current, resistance), a device using opticalsignals, a device adapted for analyzing the spectrum of a signal, etc.

The input/output connector 55 may comprise contacts which may be ofvarious types including at least one of pins, sockets, alligator clips,banana plugs, coaxial cables, optical fibers, and a connector adapted tomate with a device adapted for generating a signal or adapted formeasuring at least one attribute of a signal or circuit.

According to an embodiment, the intermediate mate-in interface 45 canhave a unique ID. The intermediate mate-in interface 45 can also existin various types depending, for example, on which device is connected tothe input/output connector 55. Normally, only one specific mate-ininterface 46 can be connected to an intermediate mate-in interface 45.

FIG. 12 illustrates the steps that need to be performed before themethod 1000 of testing equipment having a harness/equipment connectorfor connection to a specific mate-in interface are executed, when anintermediate mate-in interface is used. Steps 1100, 1130, 1140 and 1145respectively consist of connecting a generic mate-in interface to testbox, connecting an intermediate mate-in interface to the genericmate-in, connecting a specific mate-in interface to the intermediatemate-in interface and connecting the specific mate-in interface to theharness or equipment connector. The step 1150 of connecting a device(such as a signal generator or a measuring device) to the intermediatemate-in interface can also take place.

It may be necessary to reconfigurably assign a portion of test contactsof the test box unit. The assignment of the portion of test contacts ismade into a specific mate-in level subset. The generic mate-in interfacehas a unique test box connector ID. Assigning comprises the steps of:

-   -   step 1115: detecting a unique generic mate-in interface ID of        the generic mate-in interface after it is connected;    -   step 1120: detecting, through the generic mate-in interface, a        unique specific mate-in interface ID of the specific mate-in        interface after it is connected;    -   step 1160: determining, from the detected unique specific        mate-in interface ID, an assignment of the portion of test        contacts;    -   step 1170: validating configuration and calibration of the        assembly; and    -   step 1180: determining, from the detected unique test box        connector ID, an assignment of the test contacts into generic        level subsets wherein one of the generic level subsets comprises        the specific mate-in level subset.

Detection of all IDs occurs after all the connections of the mate-ininterface are made. Once all the connections and the assignment of aportion of test contacts of a test box unit are made, the test may beperformed.

The ID can be stored and/or displayed in/on an ID support 250. Accordingto an embodiment, the unique test box connector ID of the genericmate-in interface 44 is provided in the form of a series of alphanumericsymbols (letters and/or numbers and/or symbols) physically displayed onthe generic mate-in interface 44, e.g., written on a sticker, engravedon the generic mate-in interface, displayed on a LCD display, etc. Thisidentifier would therefore be displayed on a static display.

According to another embodiment, the unique test box connector ID of thegeneric mate-in interface 44 is provided in the form of an electronicdevice storing the ID and adapted for displaying and/or sending fordisplay the ID. A memory, such as a flash memory or other electricallyaccessible memory that can be accessed by connecting an electronicdevice thereto, can be provided with the ID stored therein. Theappropriate electrical connector should be provided too. In addition tothe memory, an intrinsic display can be provided. The static displaymentioned above can also be used in combination with the memory, e.g.,if the static display is a LCD display, it can be connected to thememory so the ID stored in the memory is displayed by the LCD display.

The electronic device or memory, the static display, or any combinationthereof define a support for displaying and/or storing ID, namely the IDsupport 250. The ID support 250 can be provided at any location on thegeneric mate-in interface.

According to an embodiment, the unique test box connector ID support 250is provided on the test box connector 48, as shown in FIG. 13 and on theexemplary picture of FIG. 16.

According to another embodiment, the unique test box connector IDsupport 250 is provided on the generic connector 50, as shown in FIG.14.

According to another embodiment, the unique test box connector IDsupport 250 is provided anywhere on the generic mate-in interface 44.The generic mate-in interface 44, in addition to the connectors,comprises wires. The ID support 250 can therefore be provided on (orwrapped around) the wire making up the elongated portion of the genericmate-in interface, at any suitable or convenient location thereon, asshown in FIG. 15.

Regarding the specific mate-in interface 46, there can also be a uniquespecific mate-in interface ID support 252 provided at any suitable orconvenient location thereon. In the prior art, the ID was found in themost proximal connector. For example the ID of the specific mate-ininterface 24 shown in FIG. 1 is located the TBU connector 26. The IDsupport 252 for containing/displaying the ID of the specific mate-ininterface 46 may be a static display and/or an electrically accessiblememory as for the ID support 250 of the generic mate-in interface 44.

The unique ID support 252 for the specific mate-in interface 46 can beprovided at any suitable or convenient location thereon, including theintermediate connector 52, the wiring itself, and/or the specificconnector 54. FIGS. 13-15 show these different possibilities incombination with the various possibilities for the ID support 250 of thegeneric mate-in interface 44.

As noted above, an intermediate mate-in interface is required when asignal or a measure implying a device that is distinct from the test boxunit is needed. Such a device (such as a signal generator or a measuringdevice) that was connected at step 1150 can be used at step 1190, forexample for applying a voltage, injecting an electric current, ormeasuring a voltage, a resistance or an electric current.

In an embodiment, specific contacts 57 may be used instead of specificconnectors 54 when an intermediate mate-in interface 45 is used (as inFIG. 9). This configuration is illustrated in FIG. 11.

Contact Configuration

With the multitude of specific connectors 54, and the possibility ofincluding the same type of specific connector 54 in more than onespecific mate-in interface 46, a configuration system (not shown) isrequired which allows the TBU 42 to perform the testing of the same typeof harness/equipment connector using different contacts of the TBU 42.In an embodiment, a number of the contacts are dedicated to identifyingthe type of the generic mate-in interface 44 and the type of thespecific mate-in interfaces 46 used for connecting the TBU 42 to theexisting harness.

In some circumstances, a technician will be testing a single specificconnector on a wiring harness or equipment. Therefore, only the specificmate-in interface 46 having the specific connector 54 needed to connectto the specific connector on the wiring harness/equipment would beconnected to the generic mate-in interface 44. In other circumstances, atechnician may need many connectors at different locations on theinfrastructure to be tested and he will need flexibility to structurethe mate-in in the most efficient contact allocation for the use of histest unit. Therefore, he would use a combination of specific, genericand hybrid mate-ins to accommodate all of the connectors required at theproper locations, and the test system would reconfigure itselfautomatically by reading the ID as required.

Using the ID of generic mate-in interface 44, the assignment of thecontacts for TBU connector 48 can be determined by looking up itscontact assignment in a lookup table in a database. A memory 200 may beused in replacement or in addition to the database stored on a memory ofthe test unit. The ID of generic mate-in interface corresponds to theunique test box connector ID which is used in determining an assignmentof a portion of the contacts into generic level subsets. Again, it ismost probable that not all generic connectors 50 will be connected to aintermediate connector 52 at the same time. Knowing the contactassignment for TBU connector 48, the TBU 42 can scan the contactsassigned for ID purposes to identify which of the specific mate-ininterfaces is connected. The unique specific mate-in interface ID isused in determining an assignment of the contacts in at least one of thegeneric level subsets into specific mate-in level subsets. Thetechnician would then specify what test he wants to perform and the testunit would automatically know which contacts to use on TBU connector 48.

The memory 200 comprising configuration information for the mate-ininterfaces and for their contacts can be provided at various locationson the mate-in interfaces, as long as the memory 200 is electricallyaccessible.

The same locations as the ID supports 250, 252 can be considered for thememory 200. For example, the memory 200 installed on a given mate-ininterface can be installed on its most proximal connector (i.e., TBUconnector 48 or intermediate connector 52), distal connector (genericconnector 50 or specific connector 54), or on the wiring between theseconnectors. These various cases are illustrated in FIGS. 17-19, wherethe memory 200 is installed at these various locations.

According to an embodiment, the generic mate-in interface memory (i.e.,the memory 200 on the generic mate-in interface) is the same device asthe ID support 250.

According to an embodiment, the specific mate-in interface memory (i.e.,the memory 200 on the specific mate-in interface) is the same device asthe ID support 252.

Some mate-in interfaces may have no memory 200 as long as the requiredconfiguration information is accessible.

Again referring to FIG. 2 and using the contact numbers in brackets [ ],an example is given here of a possible contact assignment for a genericmate-in interface 44. In the case of a generic mate-in connector 44comprising three generic connectors 50-1, 50-2, and 50-m, and a TBU 42including 100 contacts, it is possible to assign the contacts asfollows:

-   -   Contacts 1 and 2 for identifying the generic mate-in interface        44 and hence the assignment for the rest of the contacts, more        specifically the layout of contacts 3-4, 27-28 and 59-60 to        determine the specific type of the intermediate connectors        50-1/52-1 to 50-m/52-m;    -   Contacts 3 and 4 for identifying the specific mate-in interface        46-1;    -   Contacts 5 to 26 for testing using generic connector 50-1 and        intermediate connector 52-1. Therefore in the corresponding        specific mate-in interface 46-1 the configuration of contacts        may be as follows:        -   Contacts 5 to 11 may be dedicated to specific connector            54-1;        -   Contacts 12 to 20 may be dedicated to specific connector            54-2; and        -   Contacts 21 to 26 may be dedicated to specific connector            54-3.    -   Contacts 27 and 28 for identifying the specific mate-in        interface 46-2;    -   Contacts 29 to 58 for testing using generic connector 50-2 and        intermediate connector 52-1. Therefore in the corresponding        specific mate-in interface 46-2 the configuration of contacts        may be as follows:        -   Contacts 29 to 38 may be dedicated to specific connector            54-4;        -   Contacts 39 to 44 may be dedicated to specific connector            54-3; and Contacts 45 to 58 may be dedicated to specific            connector 54-5.    -   Contacts 59 and 60 for identifying the specific mate-in        interface 46-n;    -   Contacts 61 to 100 for testing using generic connector 50-m and        intermediate connector 52-m. Therefore in the corresponding        specific mate-in interface 46-n the configuration of contacts        may be as follows:        -   Contacts 61 to 75 may be dedicated to specific connector            54-6;        -   Contacts 76 to 91 may be dedicated to specific connector            54-7; and        -   Contacts 92 to 100 may be dedicated to specific connector            54-2.

As seen, in the example described above, the same number of contacts isassigned to specific connectors having the same type. For instance,specific connector 54-2 is assigned 8 contacts (12 to 20) in specificmate-in interface 46-1, and also 8 contacts (92 to 100) in specificmate-in interface 46-n. The same applies specific connector 54-3 inspecific mate-in interfaces 46-1 and 46-2.

It should be noted that the example discussed above is for descriptivepurposes only. The design is not limited to the details presented inthis example. Several elements may be different than what is discussedin this example including but not limited to:

-   -   The number and/or configuration of contacts in the TBU 42;    -   The type and configuration of generic mate-in interface 44;    -   The number and model of generic connectors 50 in the generic        mate-in interface 44;    -   The model and configuration of contacts in each of connectors        48, 50, 52, and 54;    -   The number of specific mate-in interfaces 46; and    -   The number of specific connectors 54 in the specific mate-in        interfaces 46.

Each of the specific connectors has a specific auto-calibration cap (notshown) that serves 3 purposes. The first purpose is to act as aprotection against the elements (dust, grease, shock, etc,). The secondpurpose is to act as a loop circuit to ensure integrity of contacts. Thethird purpose is to act as a calibration tool for the measurements ofresistance, impedance or TDR. This cap includes a small printed circuitboard (or other form of medium) that permits a continuity test of all ofthe contacts of the specific connectors to verify their integrity withtheir contact layout and ground, as well as a measure of theconfiguration of the assembly of the mate-in assembly 40 to beconsidered (for example, removed in the case of resistance) in themeasurement of the test subject.

Method of Testing

Configuration information relating to the number and classification ofthe contacts in each type of generic mate-in interface 44, and specificmate-in interfaces 46, is stored in a database of the central test andmanagement unit 70 described along with FIG. 3 below in order for thecentral test and management unit 70 to determine the appropriatecontacts for testing. In the example discussed above if the user istesting a wiring harness with specific connector 54-3 of specificmate-in interface 46-2, the test unit needs to know that testing shouldbe effected on contacts 39 to 44 of the test box connector 48 which arededicated to specific mate-in interface 46-2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a test unit and management unit 70 inaccordance with an embodiment. The test unit and management unit 70includes an input output module (I/O) 72 which is responsible forsending/receiving information with the TBU 42 by means of a wired and/orwireless connection 74, and outputting the test results on a userinterface for display to the user either directly on TBU 42 or on anexternal interface (not shown). The test unit and management unit 70comprises a database 76 which stores the configuration information ofthe contacts and the connectors, and a processor for performing the testusing the information stored in the database.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method 100 for detecting and assigning theappropriate test contacts in a test unit, prior to starting the testingprocess. The method described herein can be embodied as a softwareapplication residing on TBU 42 or in the central test and managementunit 70. FIG. 5, is an illustration of a data flow within the test unitand management unit 70 at each step of the method 100.

At step 110, a mate-in interface is connected to the TBU. Afterconnection of the mate-in interface to the TBU, the ID of the test boxconnector of the mate-in is detected (step 120) to determine the ID ofthe mate-in interface connected directly to the TBU 42. With step 120,it is possible to determine if the mate-in interface is a specificmate-in interface 24, or a generic or hybrid mate-in interface 44 thatis connected to the TBU.

Each generic mate-in interface 44 has a specific ID. A list of the IDsalong with the configuration information associated with each ID may bestored in the database 76. In the contact assignment exemplified above,step 120 may be performed by reading contacts 1 and 2 to determine theID of the generic mate-in interface 44. Physically, each of the genericconnectors 50-1 to 50-n on the generic mate-in interface 44 may beidentified as A, B, C, D, etc. The technician will choose and connectthe specific connectors 54 by selecting them in the type available fromthe intermediate connector 52 on any mate-in available, and note theassignment based on the ID and letter of the mating for test assignment.With step 120, the test system look-up table provides the configurationof the generic mate-in interface 44.

At step 130, at least one specific mate-in interface is connected to thegeneric mate-in interface. At step 140, the processor finds out the IDof specific mate-in interfaces 46 connected (if any) to the previouslyidentified generic mate-in interface 44 (by reading contacts 3 and 4, 27and 28, and 59 and 60 in this exemplary embodiment).

Assuming that specific mate-in interface 46-2 and that contacts 27 and28 provide the ID for specific mate-in interface 46-2, the processorthen looks up the list of specific connectors 54 associated with a type2 specific mate-in interface 46-2 at step 140. Assuming that thespecific connector 54 which will be used for testing is a type 3, theprocessor then moves to step 160 to look up the contact configuration inthe database 76 to determine the test contacts associated with specificconnector 54-3 when this specific connector is provided in a type 2specific mate-in interface 46, which is connected to a type 2 genericconnector 50 of a type A generic mate-in interface 44. Once the testcontacts are determined the test unit may begin testing. In anembodiment, all of these steps are performed automatically.

Finally, a last step (step 170) is to validate the configuration andcalibration of the assembly prior to initiating a test sequence.

With the configuration of the specific connectors 54 in relation to thetest unit connector 48 completed and validated, and the automationprocess noted previously, an automated test program based on thespecific connectors 54 used and their configuration as noted in the testsystem database can now be performed. This procedure eliminates the needfor manual programming of test programs. For example, the technicianwould create and assign the name of the specific connectors 54 used forthe test as specified in the wiring diagram of the electrical sub-systemunder test, and the test and management unit 70 would automatically testall contacts to ground of equipment under test, and then test allcontacts of all harness/equipment connectors used against all othercontacts of the harness/equipment connectors used for the test, andtherefore to be able to create a list of connections for the electricalsub-system, and measure specific electrical characteristics of eachnode.

With regard to the size and weight, it should be noted that the lengthof a specific mate-in interface 46, may be in the order of fewcentimeters while the generic mate-in interface may be longer (one meteror more) to accommodate many specific connectors at a same location.Using the prior art system, if a technician needs three (3) specificconnectors 54 which are on three (3) different specific mate-ininterfaces which he has in stock, he will have to bring three specificmate-in interfaces with him to a test job. If each specific mate-ininterface has nine (9) possible specific connectors 54, he would bebringing 27 specific connectors 54 to a job requiring only threespecific mate-in connectors each having a hundred wire cable of morethan a meter. This is very cumbersome. With the generic mate-ininterface 44 proposed herein on the other hand, he would bring one ormore generic mate-in interface 44 which can adapt to the one, two orthree (at most in this example) short specific mate-in interfaces.Therefore, instead of carrying a plurality of heavy conventionalspecific mate-in interfaces 24 with many specific connectors 28 uselessfor his test, the technician may select the required specific mate-ininterfaces 46 based on the specific connectors needed, and a single orvery few corresponding generic mate-in interface 44 before going totesting site.

With regard to the costs and maintenance, the present embodiments allowthe user to buy a reduced number of specific connectors that they needwithout having to pay for un-necessary connectors. For instance, if acertain user performs testing of a certain type of plane or car, theuser has no use for the other connectors provided by default on aspecific mate-in interface.

Furthermore, the cost for repairing/replacing a damaged generic orspecific mate-in interface according to the present embodiments is waycheaper than having to replace or repair a conventional specific mate-ininterface 24 with many of the specific connectors 28.

While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in theart that modifications may be made without departing from thisdisclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variantscomprised in the scope of the disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of using a universal mate-ininterface kit for enabling a connection between a test box unit asubject under test, the kit comprising: providing a mate-in interfacehaving, at one end, a connector for connecting, directly or via anothermate-in interface, to the test box unit, and connected, at an other end,to specific contacts for connecting to harness/equipment connectors ofthe subject under test, thereby providing a one-to-many mate-ininterface; identifying the mate-in interface with a unique ID;connecting the connector to the test box unit, directly or via anothermate-in interface; reading the unique ID of the mate-in interface withthe test box unit; generating an attribute and attributing individuallythe attribute to each of the specific contacts of the mate-in interfaceread by the test box unit; and performing a selective test on aparticular contact of the subject under test based on the attribute. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein attributing individually an attribute isperformed by using a computer and attributing the attribute in adatabase using the computer.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein each ofthe specific contacts comprises any one of: an alligator clip, a pin, asocket, or a termination made of a conductive material that allowselectric contact with another object.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe connector is a test box connector and the mate-in interface furthercomprises a unique test box connector ID support comprising a test boxconnector ID.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique ID issupported on an electronic device at each of the specific contacts. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the mate-in interface is a specificmate-in interface, and wherein providing the mate-in interface comprisesproviding a selection of at least two specific mate-in interfaces, eachone of the at least two specific mate-in interfaces having, at one end,an intermediate connector connected, at an other end, to specificconnectors for connecting to harness/equipment connectors, therebyproviding a specific level one-to-many mate-in interface; and furthercomprising: providing a generic mate-in interface having, at one end, atleast two generic connectors each for connecting to the intermediateconnector of one of the at least two specific mate-in interfaces, thegeneric mate-in interface having, at an other end, a test box connectorfor connecting to the test box unit, thereby providing a generic levelone-to-many mate-in interface; wherein having two levels of one-to-manymate-in interfaces provides a greater number of specific connectorsavailable for connecting to the harness/equipment connectors than asingle level one-to-many mate-in interface.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the test box connector comprises contacts and each one of the atleast two generic connectors comprise contacts, the kit furthercomprising connection wires between at least some of the contacts of thetest box connector and at least some of the contacts of each one of theat least two generic connectors.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein thetest box connector ID support is electrically accessible from thecontacts.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the test box connector IDsupport is located on at least one of the generic connectors.
 10. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the test box connector ID support is locatedon at least one of the connection wires of the generic mate-ininterface.
 11. A universal mate-in interface kit for enabling aconnection between a test box unit and harness/equipment connectors, thekit comprising: a mate-in interface having, at one end, a connector forconnecting, directly or via a more generic mate-in interface, to thetest box unit, and connected, at an other end, to specific connectorsfor connecting to the harness/equipment connectors, thereby providing aone-to-many mate-in interface; wherein the universal mate-in interfacekit comprises a test box connector, either at the connector of themate-in interface or on the more generic mate-in interface, and furthercomprises a unique test box connector ID support comprising a uniquetest box connector ID, wherein the test box connector has contacts, aportion of the contacts being reserved for communicating the unique testbox connector ID and an other portion of the contacts beingreconfigurably assignable; wherein upon connection of the test boxconnector to the test box unit, an attribute is generated and attributedindividually to each of the specific contacts of the mate-in interfaceread by the test box unit, and the unique test box connector ID is usedin determining an assignment of the other portion of the contacts intosubsets; and wherein the mate-in interface has a unique mate-ininterface ID and upon connection of the mate-in interface to the moregeneric mate-in interface or to the test box unit, the unique mate-ininterface ID is used in determining an assignment of the contacts in oneof the subsets into further subsets.
 12. The universal mate-in interfacekit of claim 11, wherein the test box connector ID support iselectrically accessible from the contacts.
 13. The universal mate-ininterface kit of claim 11, wherein the test box connector ID support islocated on a generic connector of the more generic mate-in interface.14. The universal mate-in interface kit of claim 11, wherein the testbox connector comprises contacts and the more generic mate-in interfacecomprises a generic connector which comprises contacts, the kit furthercomprising connection wires between at least some of the contacts of thetest box connector and at least some of the contacts of the genericconnector.
 15. The universal mate-in interface kit of claim 14, whereinthe test box connector ID support is located on at least one of theconnection wires of the more generic mate-in interface.
 16. Theuniversal mate-in interface kit of claim 11, wherein the mate-ininterface comprises a selection of at least two specific mate-ininterfaces, each one of the at least two specific mate-in interfaceshaving, at one end, an intermediate connector connected, at an otherend, to specific connectors for connecting to harness/equipmentconnectors, thereby providing a specific level one-to-many mate-ininterface; wherein one intermediate connector has a contactconfiguration which is different from a contact configuration of anotherintermediate connector, and wherein the at least two generic connectorseach have a different contact configuration for connecting to arespective one of the intermediate connectors having a matching contactconfiguration.
 17. The universal mate-in interface kit of claim 11,wherein the mate-in interface comprises a unique mate-in interface IDsupport comprising the unique mate-in interface ID.
 18. The universalmate-in interface kit of claim 8, wherein the unique mate-in interfaceID support is a memory device for storing the unique mate-in interfaceID.
 19. The universal mate-in interface kit of claim 11, wherein theunique test box connector ID is a memory device for storing the uniquetest box connector ID.
 20. The universal mate-in interface kit of claim11, wherein the mate-in interface comprises a selection of at least twospecific mate-in interfaces, each one of the at least two specificmate-in interfaces having, at one end, an intermediate connectorconnected, at an other end, to specific connectors for connecting toharness/equipment connectors, thereby providing a specific levelone-to-many mate-in interface; the universal mate-in interface kitfurther comprising: a generic mate-in interface having, at one end, atleast two generic connectors each for connecting to a respective one ofthe intermediate connectors of the at least two specific mate-ininterfaces, the generic mate-in interface having, at an other end, atest box connector for connecting to the test box unit, therebyproviding a generic level one-to-many mate-in interface; wherein havingtwo levels of one-to-many mate-in interfaces provides a greater numberof specific connectors available for connecting to the harness/equipmentconnectors than a single level one-to-many mate-in interface.